Talian Empire
To the east of the Ennead Union across the straight lies the deserts, the cracked wastes, the magesty of the Talian Empire. A land characterized by its prominent faith in the goddess Tal but also as a safe haven to those without lumen blood. A land for those who deem each other as equals. Though lumenancy is not strictly forbidden, the stigma is rich through this desert lanscape. It only takes one zealot to make a martyr. Delve into the land of light—of oasis, faith, and gunpowder. The history of this land is one rooted in blood. The holy war is about to begin once again.
The People of the Desert
All are equal under the banner of white and red. The banner of sand and blood. With lumenancy suppressed, those without lumen blood are free to find equality and jobs without opression. A land for fresh starts, but also a hard land. The people of the desert are those who have learned how to adapt to the heat and arid nature of the desert. Water is scarce, food hard to grow, yet where the riches of the land may lack, wealth can be found in other areas. These are a people of faith, and their faith is rewarded in light and in gunpowder. Many work in the faith, in trade, and in the mines of the black mountain. These are a people in search of a better life.
The Talian Temples
All light belongth to the Goddess Tal, may her light shine forever. To disparage and use the light it to disparage and steal from the Goddess Tal. No wonder then that lumenancy is frowned upon, if not outright ostracized in this land. The faith and empire are one. To question the faith is to question the empire. The Grand Aurea’s word is Tal’s word. The Grand Aurea’s word is law. A prayer with a candle—an offering on high. From Priest to Lower Aurea, Aurea to High Aurea, Talian Council to the Grand Aurea himself. A faith of many levels, of politics and power. To ascend the hierarchy is to ascend to heaven. Temples of magesty—built into the desert, the mountains, the waters of the oasis. The cathedral temples of the Talian faith can be found almost anywhere.
Temple of Light & Talhassi
And where there is light there is also shadow. If law is to be upheld then there must be enforcers of law. Though not all may survive the baptism and training within the Temple of Light, those who do come out change. Blood enhanced by blood. The greatest of whom are known as Talhassi—the Seven Hunters of the Desert. The Hounds of the Desert train in waiting beneath them.
Talhassi, strengthed by the baptism, trained in selestrium weaponery, are made to deal with any enemy. Including lumenancers. They are the eyes, feet, and hands of the Grand Aurea. Where a Talhassi wanders, the Grand Aurea’s word follows.
The Talian Legion
The Holy War is sounded by the blast of trumpets and the thunder of the Talian legion. Elephants bred for war, cavalry hardened by the cracked wastes of the desert sand. Faith and duty drive them. Their great canons with topples walls and conquer cities. The best gunpowder engineers reside in the Talian empire, and this is best shown in their militaries technological prowess. The Talhassi are not the only thing deadly about the Talian Empire, their legionnaries are to be feared. An endless hoard approaches.
Can the lumenancy of the Union hold against them?